Cancer is a sign that has suffered more from the historical subjugation of women than any other sign. It’s a feminine sign- strike one. It’s an emotive water sign- strike two. It’s ruled by the Moon, the planet of women and motherhood- strike three. The same stereotypes that were designed to break down women and put them in their place are the same stereotypes pushed onto Cancer in astrology circles today- weak, histrionic, irrational, unstable, not in control of their emotions. It seems Cancer has been pegged as the weepy nurturer with not much else to offer, a weakening influence on a chart. That mindset speaks more to societies view on femininity than it does to the sign of Cancer. It seems to me Cancer is in need of a re-framing.

The cardinal signs offer different brands of leadership. The forceful military command of Aries. The fair and democratic leadership of Libra. The firm and responsible hand of patriarchal Capricorn. And finally Cancer- the matriarch, the feminine authority (for whatever reason I’m picturing a circle of women on a beach beneath the Moon, tapping into their feminine power). Supportive leadership, emotionally driven leadership. Leadership that sustains and nurtures those that it directs and governs. Leadership that connects and instills a deep sense of belonging. This is the nature of Cancer and its ruler the Moon, the Queen of the heavens, beloved of her subjects. Cancer is the life-giving properties of water- water that is nourishing, enriching, life-affirming- water that rushes forth to envelop and cause everything that it touches to flourish. It is where mother ocean surges forth to meet land creating one of the most dynamic landscapes on earth, a place where life thrives. It is the creative nexus of the womb and the birth of a child into the world at the breaking of the waters- a vulnerable but powerful moment when emotions are heightened and hearts are open. This is not weakness, this is strength. To walk through the world open and receptive is potent and remarkable. To take something so vulnerable and nurture it to full strength is a feat.

And this is why Jupiter is exalted in Cancer. There is nothing Jupiter cannot accomplish in the life-giving summer solstice sign of Cancer, where creative life force is in absolute abundance. It’s also fair to say that for the majority of people the person that guides them, advises them, offers wisdom and support is their mother. Good mothers are the counsellors, gurus and guardians of all that they support. This is a vital and inherent (yet overlooked) quality of Cancer energy. And so Jupiter loves it, because here he has the broadest reach- you may not open up to a priest- but you will open up to your mother. And so we see the protective, guiding hand of the matriarch. Guardianship. Feminine wisdom and intuition. Emotional attunement and responsiveness. Cancer is the waves and the tides of the ocean, ebbing and flowing, pushing and pulling; ever fluctuating like the waxing and waning of the Moon. But the waves and tides are not always gentle, they can turn forceful as the mother who defends her child, as the matriarch who defends her community, as the Moon goddesses of old who were both tender and nurturing but fierce. And so Cancer shields those who need them. They take something small and vulnerable and nurture it to the point it can be delivered into the world. This could be a person, it could be an idea, a business, a creative project- all nurtured and grown, infused with genuine emotion and birthed into the world. The creative potential of Cancer is only rivalled by the other luminary sign, Leo. Together they light the world.

If you made it this far thanks for reading. I hope you see how the lack of respect Cancer receives in modern astrology is unjust and is a legacy of the subjugation of the feminine. I hope this also brought some validation to people with Cancer placements who feel overlooked or poorly represented. We are not told that we are powerful, we are not told we are charismatic, we are not told that we are intelligent, we are not told that we have much to offer beyond being of service to others. So it’s often a long road to learning to love our Cancer placements. I’m there now, I see how special and powerful it is, and hopefully this has helped you to do the same.